Kyle Schwarber
Buzz Break: 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter X baseball cards
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter X baseball cards
Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available)
Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery of highlights.
Buzz Break: 2022 Topps Update baseball cards (blaster box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2022 Topps Update baseball cards (blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
First Buzz preview/checklist: Click hereKeep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
Buzz Break: 2022 Topps Archives baseball cards (hobby box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2022 Topps Archives baseball cards (hobby)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one.
Fast Five: MLB names I'm watching in the postseason
Fast Five is a quick list that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection or new focus -- five things that could be fun for a beginner or a new way to add something to your stash if you're a grizzled veteran.
This time? Five MLB names I'm watching in the postseason ...
THE NEW KID ...
Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners (prospect cards since 2019, RC in 2021)
I've been sold on him since early in the year, but the postseason and anything this newcomer does will get a lot more attention with the Mariners' successes already surprising some and with more prime time attention to come. His first season in The Show got him a new monster deal (12 years, $209M) before it was even over -- so he'll be a key in Seattle for some time -- after a year that had him hitting .284 with 28 homers and 75 RBI in 132 games. His RC logo cards this year have been trickling out in SP form for the most part but there will be more to come -- and then there's his Rookie Card and prospect cards to look for, too, from past years. He's hyped and he's pricey but if he and his team can get things done in the postseason -- something the Hall of Famer called Kid didn't -- he'll be a money guy even more than now and for some time. (I'm not sure that'll happen, though, but it could.) I'm not a big fan of how his autograph looks so I won't overpay there, but I think we'll see a lot of good cardboard coming for him to go with fun stuff from the past.Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.
Buzz Buys: Original art, rare toys, old mags, new ink & more for many past and present stars around the sports world
Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.
So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and this time around it's a little heavier on football as that season is here.
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AEW ORIGINALS ... AS IN ORIGINAL ARTWORK
The Cards: Gummy Arts original T206-style drawings (1/1s) for Thunder Rosa, Orange Cassidy, MJF, Powerhouse Hobbs & Sting
The Price: Less than an AEW hobby box
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: If you don't know the work of artist Mike Noren -- aka Gummy Arts -- he's been drawing athletes or memorable pop culture characters in penciled cartoon-style reproductions of past cards or on new creations for years now. You can find constantly updating feeds of his work in timely posts over on Instagram or Twitter and then sometimes those get reproduced and sold as cards in packs. In other instances, he's let the original artwork go, too. Those vanish fast and can be pricey -- actually, his packs can vanish fast, too -- and for years now I've eyed the section of his site for original art (typically $50-80 depending on subject) that made it into cards. I had never found one that was must-have for me -- or at least found a must-have one in stock -- but one day after seeing a tweet of his I did my regular ritual and checked the site to find this set of five T206/Honus Wagner homages in one slightly pricier lot but had to grab them. I had remembered seeing the Rosa online but didn't remember any of these being made into actual cards. It turns out they weren't, so the only thing that exists f0r now (at least when I recently grabbed them) are these originals. Four are top AEW stars while one is an all-time great who has worked for every company ... really a no-brainer for me and I might have paid the typical full price for one or two of these. The Rosa card in a Tijuana jersey and others in their own Wagner-style threads made me laugh, while that Cassidy is not far from spot-on even in Noren's style. Poke around here on The Buzz and you'll see more of these ... just not in 1/1 original art form.
Grab a box right here: AEW cards are hereKeep reading for more interesting items ...
Buzz Break: 2022 Topps Series 1 baseball cards (two hangers)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The boxes: 2022 Topps Series 1 baseball cards (two hangers)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview with checklist/SPs/more: Click hereKeep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
Making the Grade (May): Tiger, Shotzi, Bo, baseball movies, food issues, Rookie Cards, Jordana Brewster's mom & more
Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...
HE'S BACK!
The Card: Tiger Woods 2001 Upper Deck No. 1 -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: Not that long ago I unearthed my stash of these heavily produced but in-demand RCs and sent off a couple to be graded. Since that time Woods returned at The Masters and fared relatively well considering where he was little over a year ago. While he's got plenty of high-dollar cards -- and stuff that pre-dates this with non-traditional distribution -- this one is the propellant that brought back golf cards to the masses and it has been slabbed thousands of times between all of the grading companies. I amassed a number of them because I used to rip this on the cheap whether it was repacks, hobby boxes, retail boxes or whatever. This wax was cheap for a long time and had a few formats -- for example, I opened a case of this one for somewhere between $75 and $125 (I want to say it was the lower number) probably 15 years ago ... and did better than I expected for hits (that's why I was ripping). Now? A single box would cost more than what I paid.
The Grade: CSG 9.5Grade 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 P10 Total Population 1 1 4 4 11 32 104 188 134 12 0 491 Reality Check: Even this newcomer to grading has taken on a ton of Tiger RCs with only a dozen grading higher than this -- and with their new slabs/scale, this copy would be a CSG 10 now. (Gem Mint is now a 10 with Pristine 10s nixed and Perfect 10s still in play.) I may send off a few more from my stash to see how the new top end of the scale looks on my others. (All of my submissions came back just before the change.)
Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.
Buzz Break: 2022 Topps Opening Day MLB cards (blaster box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2022 Topps Opening Day baseball cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.comKeep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
Buzz Break: 2022 Topps Opening Day MLB cards (blaster box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2022 Topps Opening Day baseball cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.comKeep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
Buzz Break: 2022 Topps Opening Day MLB cards (blaster box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2022 Topps Opening Day baseball cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.comKeep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (March 16)
The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.
What's Buzzing: A fake slab problem, MLB trades, "other" breaks, they're still talking and, of course, plenty of Topps Heritage.
Buzz Break: 2022 Topps Series 1 baseball cards (hanger box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2022 Topps Series 1 baseball cards (hanger box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview with checklist/SPs/more: Click hereKeep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
Buzz Break: 2021 Topps Stadium Club Chrome (hobby box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2021 Topps Stadium Club Chrome baseball cards (hobby)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of highlights from this box.
A new Black November wave drops & here are five I'd grab
If you hadn't noticed, there are a number of boxes with discounted prices right now right here as the sixth wave of Blowout Cards' Black November sales is here
Many of the discounts were dramatic enough that Buzz once again had to ponder the possibilities in many of the boxes and cases -- and here are five that caught this collector’s eye ... and there's far more that just might suit your tastes in the big sale.
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THE UNIQUE ONE ...
2020 Topps T206 Series 3 baseball box
Topps 206 is a throwback to the long-ago days of tobacco cards but this series is one that is even more different from the rest from last year and those from this year as well. It's the home of players in their MiLB unis and that includes super-rookie Wander Franco on the card you see here. It's a simple 50-card release with the chase being parallel backs and the crop of players includes some notables we have already seen in MLB and others who will be there soon. Among them? Adley Rutschman, Alex Kirilloff, J.J. Bleday, Marco Luciano, Andrew Vaughn, C.J. Abrams, Jo Adell, Julio Rodriguez, Ian Anderson, Joey Bart, Bobby Witt Jr. and others. These might be their most-unique cards you'll see all year and they are not a type of release that's a huge run, either. Only 28,225 10-card packs were made so once you do the math there's probably around 4,500 copies per card -- that's got to be low by prospecting standards. I just like these since they are unique -- and I think there's some good potential here long-term.Keep reading for a few more boxes you should consider (and are likely to end up in Buzz's cart).
Buzz Break: 2020 Topps MLB Sticker Collection box
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The pack: 2020 Topps MLB Sticker Collection box
Where to buy: Will take some looking ... some past sticker releases here
Keep reading for a breakdown and gallery for what was in this one.
Fast Five: Bargain boxes Buzz would be ripping right now
Fast Five is a quick list under a simple topic that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection. It's a basic list of five items that could be fun for a starting collector or a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's something to think about.
This time? Five boxes Buzz would be ripping right now ... all from the bargain section.
BACK TO SCHOOL ... RIGHT NOW
2021 Onyx Vintage Collection College Football box
These aren't actually out yet -- it's merely in pre-order mode for a November release -- but this one is Onyx's take on the new NCAA NIL rules that allow current athletes to make money on their name, image and likeness right now rather than when they are done with their college days. College football and college basketball figure to be the biggest deals on this front and this one includes a pair of autos in a box along with two other cards. Bryce Young's start has the word "Heisman" attached already and the other certified autos of his all have had pro-type dollar signs attached, not mere college award-winner prices. These boxes figure to be a bit hit and miss -- the big names will pay for a few boxes, others probably won't -- but at their present price I think they are worth the risk moreso than a lot of other releases out there. College NIL autos will have a longer shelf life than your typical draft picks cards as the booster crowd will be interested as well as the school fans -- and they won't have NFL cardboard to trump them until further down the line. I'm sure more stuff is coming but the other other one of these releases on the tarmac is a multi-sport approach. This one is solely football so that gives it the edge for me. Once Panini America's fully licensed NIL stuff starts, those will be the first-look but these are not far off.Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.
Buzz Break: 2021 Topps Chrome baseball cards (hobby box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2021 Topps Chrome baseball cards (hobby box)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: Click here
Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
Fast Five: Players looking good going into MLB's second half
This one is a new department here on The Buzz ... Fast Five -- a quick list under a simple topic that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection. It's a basic list of five items that could be fun for a starting collector or a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's perhaps something to ponder.
This time? Five players/groups that are looking pretty good as we start the second half of the MLB season.
WATCHING THE JUNIORS ...
The big rookies of the last few years are seemingly all paying off right now in different ways ... and that is a good thing for collectors, whether they just do the raw stuff or chase slabs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. may have ended the All-Star festivities with an MVP award and that big home run, but let's not forget that just before Shohei Ohtani took over as the primary headliner heading into the break Vladdy was putting on a big show ... the kind that will move cardboard. He's still a Triple Crown contender right now with a .332 average, 28 homers (second to Ohtani) and an MLB-leading 73 RBI. Meanwhile in the NL, Fernando Tatis Jr. has overcome those injury scares from earlier in the year and has a league-leading 28 homers, league-leading 20 SBs and is hitting .286. Could a spot in the exclusive 40-40 Club happen by year's end? Even Ronald Acuña Jr. cardboard should have some appeal right now -- he was having another strong year before it ended due to injury. This is the time to be buying hard if you are a believer and people are in sell mode, especially on rarer stuff. They all have Rookie Cards in either 2018 or 2019 releases with big stuff to chase across the board. Acuña is my favorite of the three, but there will be dips (like I said, time to buy) but I think Vladdy is the top one of the bunch -- and that's regardless of the All-Star showing. Tatis has been a top seller for some time now but I'm not sure if we have seen a Vladdy peak in terms of on-field and then cardboard.Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.
Buzz Break: 2021 Topps Series 2 baseball cards (hobby box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2021 Topps Series 2 baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview: Click hereKeep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (June 30)
The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.
What's Buzzing: Kyle Schwarber, The National, Project 70, Trevor Bauer and big pulls lead the way.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (June 29)
The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.
What's Buzzing: Kyle Schwarber can't stop smacking home runs, The National, new breaks, All-Star finalists and Project70.
Buzz Break: 2021 Topps Heritage baseball cards (blaster)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2021 Topps Heritage baseball cards (standard blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
First Buzz preview, SPs & checklist: Click hereKeep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
Buzz Break: 2021 Topps Series 2 baseball cards (blaster box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2021 Topps Series 2 baseball cards (Walmart blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview: Click hereKeep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
Buzz Break: 2013 Panini America USA Baseball boxed set
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.The box: 2013 Panini America USA Baseball boxed set
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
Buzz Break: 2021 Topps Heritage baseball cards (blaster)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2021 Topps Heritage baseball cards (standard blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
First Buzz preview, SPs & checklist: Click hereKeep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.